Arlington Parks and Rec Recognized as Finalist for 2016 National Gold Medal Award

By Parks And Recreation

Posted on October 11, 2016, October 11, 2016

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), honored Arlington Parks and Recreation as a finalist for the 2016 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management at the NRPA Conference in St. Louis, MO, on Oct. 6.

Founded in 1965, the Gold Medal Awards program honors communities in the U.S. that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition.

"I am proud of the entire parks and recreation staff, park board, numerous advisory and volunteer groups, city management and the City Council for their tremendous support for the provision of parks and recreation services in our city", said Lemuel Randolph, director of parks and recreation. "The almost 400,000 citizens of Arlington directly benefit from the department's mission to provide quality facilities and services that are responsive to a diverse community and sustained with a focus on partnerships, innovation and environmental leadership. This NRPA Gold Medal Finalist designation is a true reflection of the critical alliance between City Council, department staff and our citizens."

Applications were separated into seven classes, with five classes based on population, one class for armed forces recreation and one class for state park systems awarded on odd numbered years.

Arlington Parks and Recreation was named a finalist in the Class II category (population 150,001 - 400,000) alongside Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources (Cary, NC), Grand Prairie Park, Arts and Recreation (Grand Prairie, TX) and Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (Beaverton, OR). Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources was the recipient of the 2016 Grand Plaque in the Class II category.

Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of citizens, staff and elected officials.

This marks the second time in the last three years that Arlington has been named one of the nation's top four parks and rec agencies in its population class. The department was also named a finalist for the prestigious honor in 2014.

For more information on the Gold Medal Awards, visit www.nrpa.org/goldmedal or www.aapra.org.